Inaugural one-north Festival brings science, engineering, technology and media closer to the public, while highlighting one-north as the hub for innovation, creativity, entrepreneurship and cutting-edge research.

SINGAPORE – A robot that talks to you, a car that drives itself and a game that you control with your mind. Exciting innovations and ideas brewing in one-north and beyond will come alive on August 5 and 6 at the first-ever one-north Festival. It is jointly organised by the Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR) and JTC, in partnership with the one-north community, universities and industry. The festival provides an opportunity for the public to experience first-hand how the research, innovation, creativity and enterprise taking place in one-north and the rest of Singapore are creating possibilities for the future.

Open to all with free admission, the festival is packed with interesting and informative activities from lab tours to open houses, public talks, hands-on workshops and interactive exhibitions. Visitors can learn everything from the power of imagery from Canon, the art of storytelling on the Internet from Discovery Networks Asia-Pacific, the secrets behind the formulas of consumer products Head & ShouldersTM and SK-II from Procter & Gamble (P&G), to the ‘big science of a small world’ as the National University of Singapore (NUS) discusses nanotechnology.

Budding entrepreneurs can find out about the risks along the path to innovation at INSEAD, and hear from local start-up KOOKI as they discuss how Artificial Intelligence is changing the way we do business. A*STAR researchers will cover a wide range of topics, from cancer, allergies, and infectious diseases to big data, computer-aided cardiac analysis as well as the future of manufacturing.

The public can also go behind the scenes at Infinite Studios to tour a television film set, watch how sport is brought to life at Fox Networks Group, or visit a biomedical incubator, the BioFactory at JTC LaunchPad @ one-north. Game enthusiasts can visit Games Solution Centre, also at the LaunchPad, to find out how games are created and learn more about the career opportunities in the game-development industry.

Many A*STAR research institutes will also open their doors, providing a first-hand look at technologies such as those that support drug development, smart molecules that can clean up oil spills, and microscopes that peer into living tissue.

Master planned by JTC, one-north comprises eight precincts — Fusionopolis, Mediapolis, Biopolis, JTC LaunchPad, Vista, Wessex, Ayer Rajah, and Nepal Hill, each with their distinct characteristics and industry focus. It is home to a community of 43,000 people, over 400 companies, more than 700 start-ups alongside 16 public research institutes, as well as five corporate universities and institutes of higher learning. By co-locating knowledge-intensive activities and fostering a community of like-minded people within the 200 hectare development, one-north is a fertile ground for innovation and test-bedding; growing ideas and partnerships between organisations, research institutes and start-ups.

A*STAR Chairman, Mr Lim Chuan Poh, said, “The co-location of the various public and private R&D entities in close proximity within one-north fosters greater collaboration between the entities that results in excellent science and innovative technology. With its state-of-the-art facilities and vibrant community, one-north attracts a diverse pool of local and international talent that embodies the spirit of research, innovation, creativity and enterprise. This knowledge hub is an engine that will help transform Singapore's future economy.”

JTC Chief Executive Officer, Mr Png Cheong Boon says, “From its conceptualisation in 2001, one-north has grown to become the icon of Singapore’s knowledge economy. It boasts a unique mix of research institutes, start-ups, SMEs, MNCs and institutes of higher learning in an integrated work-live-learn-play environment. The one-north Festival represents this; bringing together the diverse mix of industries and showcasing the innovative ideas that have developed here. We look forward to more of such collaborations and ideas that will take Singapore into the future.”

The Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR) is Singapore's lead public sector agency that spearheads economic oriented research to advance scientific discovery and develop innovative technology. Through open innovation, we collaborate with our partners in both the public and private sectors to benefit society.

As a Science and Technology Organisation, A*STAR bridges the gap between academia and industry. Our research creates economic growth and jobs for Singapore, and enhances lives by contributing to societal benefits such as improving outcomes in healthcare, urban living, and sustainability.

We play a key role in nurturing and developing a diversity of talent and leaders in our Agency and Research Institutes, the wider research community and industry. A*STAR oversees 18 biomedical sciences and physical sciences and engineering research entities primarily located in Biopolis and Fusionopolis.

About JTC Corporation

Set up in 1968, JTC is the lead government agency responsible for the development of industrial infrastructure to support and catalyse the growth of industries and enterprises in Singapore. Landmark projects by JTC include the Jurong Industrial Estate; the Jurong Island for energy and chemical industries; business and specialised parks such as Airport Logistics Park of Singapore, International Business Park, Changi Business Park, Seletar Aerospace Park, CleanTech Park and Tuas Biomedical Park; a new work-live-play-&-learn development called one-north; and the Jurong Rock Caverns, Southeast Asia’s first commercial underground storage facility for liquid hydrocarbons. JTC also develops innovative space such as JTC Surface Engineering Hub, JTC MedTech Hub @ MedTech Park and JTC Food Hub @ Senoko, which incorporate innovative features and shared infrastructure to enable industrialists to start their operations quickly and enhance productivity.

ANNEX A: INFORMATION ON THE ONE-NORTH FESTIVAL

The one-north Festival is a celebration of research, innovation, creativity, and enterprise and is open to the public on August 5 and 6 at Fusionopolis One. The Festival is jointly organised by A*STAR and JTC, and is supported by many partners within and beyond the one-north community.

Visitors can interact with scientists, innovators, creators and entrepreneurs from around one-north and discover why there’s no such thing as a typical day when it comes to science, innovation, creativity and enterprise.

At the innovation displays, the ArtScience Museum gives visitors the chance to experience data in a whole new light, while Nanyang Technological University (NTU) will show how invisibility cloaks are no longer science fiction. A*STAR’s Advanced Remanufacturing and Technology Centre (ARTC) will showcase a robot that can safely work alongside and assist humans for industrial applications, as well as a 3D-printer that can print souvenirs on the spot.

Children can learn about healthy habits and discover how emotions and behaviour affect the brain at hands-on workshops; while young and old alike can find out how researchers are teaching computers to recognise human emotion in images.

The one-north Festival also explores the intersection of art and science. The Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts (NAFA) will conduct a mass mural painting activity, and art workshops inspired by science. The Music meets Science programme will feature speakers discussing the relationship between music and science, concluding with a live performance by LaSalle College of the Arts. Science buskers will also be there to demonstrate science using the art of entertainment.

An exciting line-up of activities has been planned to engage the public in a journey of learning and discovery through interactive demos, talks, hands-on workshops, tours/open houses, and more.

Here are some highlights of the activities:

HEAR FROM THE EXPERTS (PUBLIC TALKS) – BY REGISTRATION ONLY

Many may not be aware of the latest advances or future trends in science, innovation, technology or media. These sessions allow visitors to find out directly from scientists and innovators about the future possibilities that will impact our lives.

• What is Big Data and what does it mean for our online privacy?

• Learn the art of storytelling on the Internet

• How can we create a greener, cleaner environment?

• How are A*STAR researchers using computers to better understand heart attacks and infectious diseases?

• Find out more about the latest advances in the fight against cancer.

• What are scientists from NUS doing with satellites the size of a shoebox?

More than 15 talks featuring experts from different fields.

BEHIND THE SCENES (LAB/STUDIO TOURS & OPEN HOUSES) – BY REGISTRATION ONLY

Gain exclusive access to areas such as scientific labs and studio soundstages which are usually off-limits to the public. Visitors will be able to interact with and learn from the people who work in these spaces, and get a glimpse of special equipment and hi-tech settings.

• Get up close and personal with the supercomputers that connect us to the world and microscopes for a peek inside living cells.

• Take a tour of Infinite Studios and visit a TV film set in Singapore’s first soundstage facility.

• Go on a tour of Disney Studios

• Check out the latest technologies from Canon

INNOVATIONS COME ALIVE (INTERACTIVE DEMOS) – OPEN TO ALL

Over 30 interactive demos allow visitors to experience first-hand the latest innovations and creations that are made in Singapore. Innovators from A*STAR, universities, industry and beyond showcase the latest innovations that will shape the world and transform our lives.

Health and Well-being – Featuring research and innovations that can help to keep us healthy, including the latest advances in medical research and new technologies that aid doctors in the diagnosis and treatment of diseases.

• Become a virtual antibody and prevent a Dengue Virus infection

• Find out how you can edit your DNA

• Look at worms under a microscope and find out how they help NTU scientists study metabolic diseases

Technology for Life – The latest technology that is changing our lives on a personal level.

• Test your strength against flexible armour that stiffens on impact

• Play a video game with your mind using technology created by A*STAR scientists

• Watch animations and play games created at DigiPen Institute of Technology right here in Singapore

Future City – The technologies that are shaping the urban landscape – from the way we live, work, and get round the island every day. Examples include autonomous vehicles that may one day transform the way we travel and the use of big data to aid urban design and development.

• Watch a car drive by itself

• Engage in a conversation with a social robot from NTU

• Find out how electronics can control what goes on in our houses

ART AND SCIENCE COLLIDE (HANDS-ON WORKSHOPS) – SIGN UP ON THE SPOT

For visitors wishing to have a more in-depth experience, these workshops allow for hands-on engagement on specific topics.

• See how art and science intersect. Participate in interactive art activities, led by NAFA students, that take inspiration from science.

• How are you feeling today? See how researchers from A*STAR are teaching computers to recognise emotions, and create your very own emoji to match your mood.

FUN AND GAMES

There’s more to see and do. Use paint-filled pipettes to contribute to a science-inspired mural or be entertained by science buskers. Stop by the food trucks and restaurants at one-north for a bite, and have a fun-filled day learning and exploring.